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Ressence Type 1 White

Most watch brands make products that are fundamentally similar to all the mechanical watches that have been made for the last two centuries. A few do something different, and create a product that represents a radical departure and that hallmarks all the brand’s products. Examples are HYT with their watches in which liquid is used to indicate the time, and 4N featuring François Quentin’s remarkable digital display. Ressence, founded by Benoît Mintiens, is another example, with its watches in which the dial and subdials constantly rotate, and are given a unique appearance by means of an oil-filled display. The power of Ressence watch’s diversity is demonstrated by the careful design approach that has completely rethought the watch, which has no crown – the watch is wound and set by rotating the caseback in different directions. This makes it more ergonomic, so that it can be worn on right or left wrist. The use of titanium for case and lugs reduces total weight.

The core of the Ressence system is the display, the Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS) with 107 parts. It sits on top of a conventional third-party movement (based on the ETA 2824-2). The ROCS gives the watch its unique appearance, with a large minute hand that revolves along with the other three subdials, so that the watch is constantly changing in appearance. The subdials are for hours, continuous seconds, and day of the week. All the indications are coated with SuperLuminova to give the watch with a display that is as attractive and legible by night as it is by day.

While Ressence is preparing for its participation at SIHH starting in a couple of weeks’ time, it has relaunched its Type 1W White, a watch that is 42 mm in diameter and 13 mm thick. The use of the basic ETA 2824-2 movement limits power reserve to 36 hours. Water resistance is also limited, at 1 bar, 10 metres. But it remains a unique and refreshing concept. Price is 16,000 Swiss francs plus tax.